© Lukasz Bak / Port au Prince Pictures-Goodfellas-Sommerhaus Filmproduktion
Burhan Qurbani’s No Beast. So Fierce. is a daring contemporary reimagining of Shakespeare’s Richard III, transforming the classic tale of ambition and treachery to the story of a woman among the gang-controlled streets of Berlin. The film centers on Arab lawyer Rashida York, portrayed with mesmerizing intensity by Kenda Hmeidan, as she maneuvers through a patriarchal underworld to seize power.
Original Title: Kein Tier. So Wild.
Directed by: Burhan Qurbani
Year: 2025
Country: Germany, Poland, France
Length: 142 minutes
Hmeidan’s performance captivates, as she embodies Rashida’s ruthless determination and complex psyche. Her monologues, delivered directly to the camera as in a stage performance, invite the audience into her conspiratorial world, echoing the theatricality that’s so central to Shakespeare’s original work.
The narrative unfolds in a society recovering from conflict, where Rashida is pressured to conform to traditional roles, settling down and starting a family. Resisting these expectations, she thirsts for dominance, viewing marriage as a tool designed to tame her spirit. The proposal to unite her with Ali Lancaster, a strategic move to solidify peace between warring clans, becomes another obstacle in her relentless pursuit of authority.
Qurbani’s direction embraces a stage-like quality, with minimalist sets and framing that heightens the film’s dramatic nature. The score, an amalgamation of industrial sounds and electronic compositions reminiscent of Hans Zimmer’s work on Dune, expands the film’s ominous atmosphere.
The film delves into themes of war trauma and the challenges of integrating into German society, offering a nuanced exploration of a female protagonist finding her way in a traditionally male-dominated sphere. The line “Reconciliation has always been women’s business” perfectly highlights the burdens placed on women to mend the fractures caused by men’s conflicts.
No Beast. So Fierce. delivers a fascinating contemporary adaptation that remains faithful to Shakespeare’s exploration of power and corruption while infusing it with modern relevance. Hmeidan’s portrayal of Rashida York is both fierce and vulnerable, leading an intersectional film that challenges patriarchal norms and sheds light on the complex experiences faced by women in the aftermath of war and imperialism.
No Beast. So Fierce. premiered at the 2025 Berlin Film Festival as part of the festival’s Berlinale Special selection
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